1. In the space below, describe the stasis at the beginning of Wedding Band. In other words, “Where are we?” “When is it (time, day, and year)?” “Who are the people involved?” “What is the dramatic situation in which the characters find themselves as the play unfolds?”
Wedding Band opens in a "city by the sea" in South Carolina on a hot summer Saturday in 1918. the final year of World War I. The scene opens to three houses from the view of the backyard. The homes and land is owned by Fanny, and she has people living in the other two homes. The protagonist, Julia Augustine, is found asleep while Teeta is being rushed by her mother Mattie to find a quarter she lost. Teeta was sent to buy supplies for her mother, but when she returned she lost a quarter in the backyard. Fanny eventually come out to try to see what is happening with all of Mattie's yelling. Lula also enters the scene, she tries to help Teeta by getting her to go back over her steps. Julia is awoken by the excitement in the backyard and goes out to join the ladies. This allows them to all become acquainted, and helps to establish their characters.
2. What is the intrusion that causes the stasis to be broken and the dramatic action to develop, often at an increasingly rapid pace, to the end of the play? NOTE: Arguments might be made for several different points where stasis is broken. Be prepared to defend your point of view, if different from other students.
The intrusion comes about when Herman becomes very ill. Fanny calls it influenza, and Julia worries about what is to be done for Herman. This breaks the status quo of living in the three house compound. Suddenly, the occupants are concerned about what to do with Herman. This realization of his illness ultimately compels them to call Herman's sister, Annabelle. Annabelle's arrival brings with her conflict and the rude mother of Herman. Herman becoming sick sets off a chain of irreversible events. This is the spark to the fire of conflict that propels the rest of the plot. The differing views of love and concern generated by Herman's situation also leads to the ultimate dissolution of Julia and Herman. Yet, they come back together in the end but it is cut short by the flu that started it all.
3. Why do the events of the play take place at this particular time and place? In other words, what is the unique factor which is out of the ordinary that causes a turn of events to take place?
One of the primary antagonizing forces is the flu. The play is set in 1918 during World War I, because at this time there was a deadly influenza outbreak among with a Great War. This outbreak is the ultimate reason there is even any conflict in the whole play. Had Herman not contracted the viral influenza, then Julia would not have been forced to try to take on both Annabelle and Herman's mother. It is not everyday that the nation is under attack by a deadly flu, and the nation is at war. Nelson showcases how disrespected an African-American service member was. The play would not have been possible had the playwright not chosen this exact date to set the entire play.
4. State the dramatic questions that must be answered by the end of the play? (Ordinarily, the dramatic question shares a close connection with the intrusion.)
The dramatic question is: Will the love that Herman and Julia share be able to persist not only through his sickness but society? The denouement of the play tells the audience that the love will persist till death. They share such a strong bond together. Also, the sickness could be seen as a metaphor for society in general. The flu slowly chokes the life out of Herman, just like society had slowly been applying pressure to their relationship.
5. Use Julia to answer the questions concerning character. Ball says, a character is revealed by what he/she does, that is the dramatic actions that are taken by that character. Examine what the character wants (NOTE: In Wedding Band the wants of Julia are in flux. They change as the play progresses). The wants of a character often encounter obstacles that get in the way of achieving those wants. Ball says there are 4 kinds of obstacles that frustrate the wants of a character. They are: a. Me against myself, b. Me against another individual or individuals, c. Me against society (that is law, social norms, etc.) and, d. Me against fate, the universe, natural forces, God or the gods. In answering these questions be sure to point to the particular obstacles that demonstrate these obstacles in the play.
In the beginning, all Julia wants is to live a normal life with Herman as her husband. Yet, society dictates that this is not possible. The law forbids their love, and Julia cannot have her dream realized until the law itself changes. The fact the law dictates this is an important reason that Childress sets the play in 1918, because society will instantly oppose the protagonists. Later when Herman gets the flu, Julia is confronted by nature. Her desire changes from a normal life with Herman to just simply life for Herman. Nature is creating the major conflict for Julia that sparks the rest of the play. Eventually, Annabelle and Herman's mother arrive at Julia's house. Herman's mother ignores Julia, and as time progresses they enter a full fledged verbal debate. Julia's wants of normatively with Herman are ruined with the advent of his mother. Julia must now go against another individual and the fl sent by God to punish them or an unfortunate case of contraction. The interaction Julia has with Herman's mother discourages her, and she even turns on her own self. She begins to question what she wants and whether or not her life with Herman was ever possible. Julia is attacked by a terrible square of nature, individuals, society, and herself. Ultimately, her love for Herman is guaranteed but her life with whims denied.
6. The most important information in most plays takes place during theatrical moments. Identify the most theatrical moments in Wedding Band.
The opening scene with Mattie yelling at Teeta to find the quarter paints a picture of the family and friend relationships shared by the characters.
The advent of the Bell Man creates the feeling of awkwardness and reinforces the moral character of Julia. His actions are rude and suggestive, and the audience can immediately discern what it is he wants.
Lula's church service is vibrant and exciting, and it brings life to the play that is so overshadowed with sorrow.
The dramatic argument and confrontation between Herman's mother and Julia paint them as enemies. It alludes that the following conflict will have them connected to each other.
October's letter is most definitely overdramatic. The words of October are so vibrant and detailed, and Mattie reacts to every sentence read by Julia in an excited and endearing fashion.
7. Provide at least three examples of images in Wedding Band. How does the title of the play help us understand the images in the play? (Remember Ball says that, “An image is the use of something we know that tells us something we don’t know.” He goes on to say that images invoke and expand, rather than define and limit.”)
Julia's wedding band from Herman represents his love and commitment to her. It is also the namesake of the entire play, thus it is important to understand how the relationship of Herman and Julia evolves throughout the play.
Teeta's quarter is obviously very important to Mattie. It can be deducted that they do not have a lot of money, due to the fact that Mattie is getting so work up about just a quarter her young daughter lost. This goes on to paint the socioeconomic situations of the characters for the rest of the play.
The boat tickets to New York symbolize the great love that Herman has for Julia. Even in his final hours, he desires to see Julia happy and content. The love of Julia and Herman is questioned after Herman's mother appears, and the tickets reinforce the fact that Herman does love Julia despite her skin color and situation.
Mattie's letter from October goes on t describe what it was like for black servicemen serving their country in World War I. They were not accepted. The letter also allows the audience to discover that Mattie is not educated. It shows that many black men and women in the south were unable to read. This led to even more inequality among whites and blacks, because African-Americans could not obtain an education close to whites.
8. Ordinarily, there are many themes in most plays. List the themes in Wedding Band.
Love is not bound by color. The play seeks to show that interracial relationships are just as valid as the love shared by members of the same race. The love Herman and Julia share is pure, and the conflict allows the purity of their love to resurface over and over.
Ancestral origin does not dictate character. Herman and his family are German. Throughout the history of the US, people with heritage from nations the country is at war with often are discriminated. Yet, Herman and his family have done nothing to hurt the American war effort. They even goes as far as show their love for America with having blue, red, and white colored flowers in their yard.
Mothers are often overprotective. Everyone can attest that mothers often try to protect their children from things they do not even need protecting from. Herman's mother believes she is helping him, buy in reality she is helping to destroy one of the only lights in his life. A mother's will often overshadows the child's, and it is the responsibility of the children to stand up to their mothers.
Children do not "see color." Teeta and Princess seems to be the best of friends. Princess does not worry that she is with a group of ladies that do not look like her. This is included through out the play to showcase the that racial tensions are human constructs. Parents and society sometimes poison the sweet and innocent minds of children. Children see the world the way that adults should, and they wish to explore and learn about others they meet.
9. Most American plays have something to do with family and/or family relationships. What does family have to do with the dramatic action in Wedding Band? Perhaps you might argue for several different kinds of family in this particular play. What do you think?
The primary challenge to the "ideal" American family of this play's time setting is the love that Herman and Julia share. They are going completely against the stars quo, and they challenge the idea that a family is a homogenous unit. A true family is made up of people who are devoted to one another no matter their differences. Their relationship sparks the conflict in the play, and its end marks the end of the play as well. Also, Mattie and Teeta showcase the daughter and mother bond. Though Mattie chastises her when she messes up, she loves teeth with all her heart. October reinforces the notion that families stick together. Even after Mattie discovers that her marriage is not legally recognized she stands up for her husband and marriage. Furthermore, Lula and and her son Nelson are used in the play to show the unfair treatment faced by African-American servicemen in World war I. Nelson is mocked by the Bell Man, and he is forced to march at the end of marching lines. Their relationship is dictated by part of the unique factor, and that part id the setting. Lula advises her Nelson to be wary because of the risks that he would face especially in 1918 southern America. Lastly, the family dynamic of Herman, Annabelle, and his mother represent what a family should not be but what it often is. Parents try to dictate the lives of their children, like how Herman's mother ties to end his relationship with Julia. The ill will felt between the family members creates more conflict for Julia as well, and propels the ultimate conclusion of the play.
SLB Wedding Band Worksheet
1. In the space below, describe the stasis at the beginning of Wedding Band. In other words, “Where are we?” “When is it (time, day, and year)?” “Who are the people involved?” “What is the dramatic situation in which the characters find themselves as the play unfolds?”
Wedding Band opens in a "city by the sea" in South Carolina on a hot summer Saturday in 1918. the final year of World War I. The scene opens to three houses from the view of the backyard. The homes and land is owned by Fanny, and she has people living in the other two homes. The protagonist, Julia Augustine, is found asleep while Teeta is being rushed by her mother Mattie to find a quarter she lost. Teeta was sent to buy supplies for her mother, but when she returned she lost a quarter in the backyard. Fanny eventually come out to try to see what is happening with all of Mattie's yelling. Lula also enters the scene, she tries to help Teeta by getting her to go back over her steps. Julia is awoken by the excitement in the backyard and goes out to join the ladies. This allows them to all become acquainted, and helps to establish their characters.
2. What is the intrusion that causes the stasis to be broken and the dramatic action to develop, often at an increasingly rapid pace, to the end of the play? NOTE: Arguments might be made for several different points where stasis is broken. Be prepared to defend your point of view, if different from other students.
The intrusion comes about when Herman becomes very ill. Fanny calls it influenza, and Julia worries about what is to be done for Herman. This breaks the status quo of living in the three house compound. Suddenly, the occupants are concerned about what to do with Herman. This realization of his illness ultimately compels them to call Herman's sister, Annabelle. Annabelle's arrival brings with her conflict and the rude mother of Herman. Herman becoming sick sets off a chain of irreversible events. This is the spark to the fire of conflict that propels the rest of the plot. The differing views of love and concern generated by Herman's situation also leads to the ultimate dissolution of Julia and Herman. Yet, they come back together in the end but it is cut short by the flu that started it all.
3. Why do the events of the play take place at this particular time and place? In other words, what is the unique factor which is out of the ordinary that causes a turn of events to take place?
One of the primary antagonizing forces is the flu. The play is set in 1918 during World War I, because at this time there was a deadly influenza outbreak among with a Great War. This outbreak is the ultimate reason there is even any conflict in the whole play. Had Herman not contracted the viral influenza, then Julia would not have been forced to try to take on both Annabelle and Herman's mother. It is not everyday that the nation is under attack by a deadly flu, and the nation is at war. Nelson showcases how disrespected an African-American service member was. The play would not have been possible had the playwright not chosen this exact date to set the entire play.
4. State the dramatic questions that must be answered by the end of the play? (Ordinarily, the dramatic question shares a close connection with the intrusion.)
The dramatic question is: Will the love that Herman and Julia share be able to persist not only through his sickness but society? The denouement of the play tells the audience that the love will persist till death. They share such a strong bond together. Also, the sickness could be seen as a metaphor for society in general. The flu slowly chokes the life out of Herman, just like society had slowly been applying pressure to their relationship.
5. Use Julia to answer the questions concerning character. Ball says, a character is revealed by what he/she does, that is the dramatic actions that are taken by that character. Examine what the character wants (NOTE: In Wedding Band the wants of Julia are in flux. They change as the play progresses). The wants of a character often encounter obstacles that get in the way of achieving those wants. Ball says there are 4 kinds of obstacles that frustrate the wants of a character. They are: a. Me against myself, b. Me against another individual or individuals, c. Me against society (that is law, social norms, etc.) and, d. Me against fate, the universe, natural forces, God or the gods. In answering these questions be sure to point to the particular obstacles that demonstrate these obstacles in the play.
In the beginning, all Julia wants is to live a normal life with Herman as her husband. Yet, society dictates that this is not possible. The law forbids their love, and Julia cannot have her dream realized until the law itself changes. The fact the law dictates this is an important reason that Childress sets the play in 1918, because society will instantly oppose the protagonists. Later when Herman gets the flu, Julia is confronted by nature. Her desire changes from a normal life with Herman to just simply life for Herman. Nature is creating the major conflict for Julia that sparks the rest of the play. Eventually, Annabelle and Herman's mother arrive at Julia's house. Herman's mother ignores Julia, and as time progresses they enter a full fledged verbal debate. Julia's wants of normatively with Herman are ruined with the advent of his mother. Julia must now go against another individual and the fl sent by God to punish them or an unfortunate case of contraction. The interaction Julia has with Herman's mother discourages her, and she even turns on her own self. She begins to question what she wants and whether or not her life with Herman was ever possible. Julia is attacked by a terrible square of nature, individuals, society, and herself. Ultimately, her love for Herman is guaranteed but her life with whims denied.
6. The most important information in most plays takes place during theatrical moments. Identify the most theatrical moments in Wedding Band.
7. Provide at least three examples of images in Wedding Band. How does the title of the play help us understand the images in the play? (Remember Ball says that, “An image is the use of something we know that tells us something we don’t know.” He goes on to say that images invoke and expand, rather than define and limit.”)
8. Ordinarily, there are many themes in most plays. List the themes in Wedding Band.
9. Most American plays have something to do with family and/or family relationships. What does family have to do with the dramatic action in Wedding Band? Perhaps you might argue for several different kinds of family in this particular play. What do you think?
The primary challenge to the "ideal" American family of this play's time setting is the love that Herman and Julia share. They are going completely against the stars quo, and they challenge the idea that a family is a homogenous unit. A true family is made up of people who are devoted to one another no matter their differences. Their relationship sparks the conflict in the play, and its end marks the end of the play as well. Also, Mattie and Teeta showcase the daughter and mother bond. Though Mattie chastises her when she messes up, she loves teeth with all her heart. October reinforces the notion that families stick together. Even after Mattie discovers that her marriage is not legally recognized she stands up for her husband and marriage. Furthermore, Lula and and her son Nelson are used in the play to show the unfair treatment faced by African-American servicemen in World war I. Nelson is mocked by the Bell Man, and he is forced to march at the end of marching lines. Their relationship is dictated by part of the unique factor, and that part id the setting. Lula advises her Nelson to be wary because of the risks that he would face especially in 1918 southern America. Lastly, the family dynamic of Herman, Annabelle, and his mother represent what a family should not be but what it often is. Parents try to dictate the lives of their children, like how Herman's mother ties to end his relationship with Julia. The ill will felt between the family members creates more conflict for Julia as well, and propels the ultimate conclusion of the play.